Lockout has destroyed my passion for the draft.

It shouldn't. Nothing was going to happen until the draft anyways.
There's just no motivation on either party's part to get a deal done until
after the draft.

 

I think it would have if not for the fact that we have absolutly no clue what we are going to do in the draft this year. We dont have a clue what anybody is going to do which makes this draft a lot more exciting to me than a lot of the past drafts. Every Mock you see this year is so different from the next, its going to be an interesting draft.

 

I hear ya, I haven't paid much attention at all to the upcoming draft. Aside from seeing a few things round here about who we might take, I really don't know much at all this year. I just dont care to. Alot of that has to do with the lockout, I just despise everything NFL right now as these greedy bastards on both sides cry about billions of dollars and who gets what. Its sickening really. Then combine that, with the way our season ended, and how the offseason progressed, and oh boy... Im much more content right now enjoying the NHL playoffs, and the start of a new baseball season.

 

The last thing I'm letting the NFL do is taking away my joy for the draft, watching & assessing college players, and projecting where they'll go. Sorry to poop on the thread. Carry on.

 

what about this thing called Free Agency ???

 

I agree with the original poster. The lack of Free Agency has sort of caused me to zone out. Free Agency allows you to fill holes and gives you a better idea of what the front office is thinking come draft time. Right now, we have so many holes that need to be filled, and not enough quality picks to do so, that it just seems rather...blah.

 

Iam excited as hell, and still pissed off at the NFL for ruining my favorite weekend of the year..The draft is my favorite thing in sports besides when were in the playoffs, If we get it right, we have a chance to build for our teams future, and create some balance for our sick defense.

 

You think it's bad now, imagine if the Heat still sucked the way they did last year? I'd be watching Cleveland Browns games every other night tryna learn about Daboll, absolute torture. I can at least put it off till June now, and I'm thankful for that.

 

I agree. They have a severe case of the dropsies.

 

You're not alone brother.

Interest in the NFL is down across the board. Our traffic is down. I heard Mike Florio even disclose that PFT's traffic is down. The Draft won't do as big of TV numbers as it has in recent years. They are truly killing the golden goose right now.

I'm always excited for the draft. But my passion for the NFL in general isn't where it normally would be. Even the draft. Hopefully the judge lifts the lockout soon. It's very possible she does it before the draft and grants an injunction as well (meaning either side's appeal wouldn't stop business from being conducted).

Can you imagine the insanity that would take place if the lockout is lifted say, Monday morning? That means free agency starts immediately. It would also mean players could be traded.

Most importantly, it would be a shot in the arm for the Draft on television.

 

I am with the OP. It has been close to 25 years since I've had less enthusiasm about the draft. The stupid MLB bullcrap in the mid 90s I'm still not recovered from as for my interest in baseball.

 

It really has not effected me at all.

Come on Mallett at # 15

 

lets hope there will still be a season worth watching

 

I cant remember when I have been less enthusiastic about the NFL and Dolphins .

If the Dolphins looked like they are on the upswing I would be more enthused but I fear that this is a lame duck regime with not many prospects.

Still the draft is on the top of my list as far as interest goes.

 

Interesting, I still have about the same interest in the draft as I usually do (although the new format introduced last year sucks balls). That being said, I haven't even bothered looking at the schedule nor do I give a rats *** about it until we are assured that there will be a season.

 

I'm not gonna let it take away from my enthusiasm for the draft. Aside from opening day, and the playoffs, this is one of my most favorite NFL related times of the year. That said, it would be awesome if the lockout was resolved and FA commenced on or about the same time, but I just don't see that happening. I firmly believe a deal won't get done until both parties start to feel the pain, and they're not there yet. Right now, we're the only ones feeling the pain, and still not a single game has been affected, so we just gotta roll with it.

JMHO...

 

I treat the draft aspect as a separate entity from the NFL season. I love college football, and these are college kids, so I don't see why NFL problems should have to affect the fun of the process.

It's all in the mindset.

 

It sure hasn't hurt the hype at all - - - - my God~!

 

You mean pissed off at the NFL and the NFLPA* and the players, right ??

 

Cobra my friend, On a scale of 1-10 how do you rate your enthusiasm for the draft each year? And this year, too?

 

YESSSSS!!! I have been saying the same thing. Every other year I couldn't wait for the draft now I'll watch it when it gets here without any predraft prep like previous years.

 

Haha you're funny but i hope this is not the only reason u wish for a season only that u don't have to go there!

And btw, you're right about this mock draft **** it's useless and absolutely nonsense!

 

I mean in terms of getting a deal done.

Free agency can still, and will happen. Just not on the traditional timeline.

 

I'm in agreement with the OP. We have a week to go to the draft and if I'm honest, I'm not even sure I'm going to watch it. Normally with FA you have an idea of the holes on the team and you have hopes of who we will draft.

Just now I'm probably spending around 20 minutes a day here where it would normally be at least a couple of hours.

 

Until the last week I have been the same way. Just doesn't seem the same without free agency. But I admit the last week I am getting revved up for it. I will have to watch from phone has we are having a baby on 29th. Be a good story for my son someday, hey I missed your first diaper moment as I was seeing who Miami was drafting...

 

The idea of a draft coming before free agency makes me think this draft will be a waste. Teams normally address needs in free agency first, with proven players whom they can be fairly sure will fill the gaps. The draft is then used to take the same kind of can't miss talent in the top of the first round, and the rest of the draft is either a gamble or is used to take players whom the teams believe they can develop.

This season, with the draft coming first, there's no sure fixes from free agency, nor any assurances that the team will get a particular player when free agency starts, so the first opportunity to fill the gaps is the draft. This makes it an even bigger gamble than it normally is. Can't see a lot of good coming out of this situation for a team drafting in the middle of the pack with no second round pick.

 

I might not be the normal benchmark. I am guilty of a 10+ every year. I love the off season.

 

To me that makes the draft more exciting. I wouldn't mind if the draft was moved up to be a few weeks after the Superbowl and before free agency.

 

was it their idea to move the draft to thursday and friday nite?

 

Nasty, even though I love DWade and dont like Lebron, that is absolutely a badass pic.

My projection from 3 years ago when everyone was touting the supposed king is coming to fruition imo, Dwade is the better player.

 

In terms of getting a deal done, I meant.

 

I have not watched NFL Network in 2 months.
I have not listened to Sirius NFL radio in 2 months.
This is my first post in 2 months.

The NFL is dead until this thing is resolved.

 

I'm with you, I'm bored to sin with this offseason.

Why should I care who the heck we draft if they won't play a down this year?

I'm becoming a hockey fan.

 

I liked it the old way too. Divided between Saturday and Sunday.

 

Same here. My entire saturday was devoted to the draft.

 

Same here. Baby coming at some point late next week. No firm date yet, but I just know it'll be Thursday night. I'm not sure how I'll react.

 

Folks point to the NBA as an example of having the draft before free agency. But that takes place right after the Finals. And free agency starts a couple weeks thereafter.

We're looking at an extremely very short offseason in the NFL from a preparation standpoint.